Violating an order of protection or a condition of your bond can have serious consequences that can result in additional jail time—and if you’ve been accused of doing either, you need to talk to a Chicago bond violation attorney as soon as possible.

What is an Order of Protection?

An order of protection is a legally binding order signed by a judge that can contain a number of conditions. It may require you to stay away from someone, prevent you from going home, or even stop you from seeing your children; it can also include orders that require you to attend some type of counseling or participate in anger management courses.

If you violate the conditions of an order of protection, a judge can issue a warrant for your arrest. A warrant gives police the authority to take you into custody as soon as they see you—and they don’t care if you’re at work, at church, or out having fun with your children.

For most people in this type of situation, it’s important to talk to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will be able to explain the conditions included in the order and help you understand what your rights are under Illinois law.

What is a Bond Violation?

A bond violation is a violation of the conditions outlined in your bond. If you’ve been given bail for an appearance before the court, you must meet certain conditions that the judge outlines; that can include staying within the state of Illinois, no contact with the alleged victim or victims, or a number of other conditions.

If you fail to return to court, or if you violate another condition of your bond, you’re facing serious legal trouble. The judge will issue a warrant for your arrest, and as with violation of the conditions of an order of protection, the police will arrest you when they find you. You can even be arrested if you’re pulled over for a minor traffic violation, such as turning without signaling.

Bond violations are governed by 720 ILCS 5/32-10, which says, “Whoever, having been admitted to bail for appearance before any court of this State, incurs a forfeiture of the bail and knowingly fails to surrender himself or herself within 30 days following the date of the forfeiture, commits, if the bail was given in connection with a charge of felony or pending appeal or certiorari after conviction of any offense, a felony of the next lower Class or a Class A misdemeanor if the underlying offense was a Class 4 felony; or, if the bail was given in connection with a charge of committing a misdemeanor, or for appearance as a witness, commits a misdemeanor of the next lower Class, but not less than a Class C misdemeanor.”

Further, possession of a firearm, contact with victims, or other violations carry their own penalties—and some of them are felonies that can result in additional jail time and fines.

What Can a Chicago Bond Violation Lawyer Do for You?

A Chicago bond violation attorney will be able to explain your rights and ensure that due process is followed throughout your case. Further, your lawyer will investigate all the circumstances in your case and determine whether there’s a simple explanation for what happened—and he’ll explain your side of the story to the judge, fighting for you every step of the way.

Don’t wait if you’ve been accused of a bond violation or of violating an order of protection. You need tough legal representation from an experienced former prosecutor who will fight hard on your behalf.

Call us at 847-920-4540 for your free case review now. We’re here to protect your rights and ensure you get the best possible outcome, and the sooner you call us, the sooner we can begin building your defense strategy.